Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obama, McConnell Promise A Bipartisan End To Gridlock
McClatchy: Obama, McConnell Pledge To Cooperate – When They Can
President Barack Obama and the likely new leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, pledged Wednesday to work together to govern the nation in a bipartisan way a day after Republicans secured control of both chambers of Congress for the first time since Democrats won the White House in 2008. ... McConnell said Republicans will attempt to roll back the federal health care law known as Obamacare. But Obama said he would draw a line at repeal or significant changes. (Kumar and Cockerham, 11/5)
The Washington Post: After Midterm Rout, Obama Says He Got Nation’s Message
Obama also made clear that he would resist any efforts by his opponents to undercut his landmark policies on health care and the environment. And McConnell acknowledged that Obama remains “a player” even as Republicans pursue their own initiatives. “The veto pen is a pretty powerful tool,” McConnell said. But he urged Obama to follow the leads of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, “who are good examples of accepting the government you have rather than fantasizing about the government you think you have.” (Nakamura and Eilperin, 11/5)
Politico: Obama Draws Line On GOP Changes To Obamacare
President Barack Obama reiterated today that he would block Republican efforts to repeal his signature health care law. ... Obama added that while he was open to some changes, he would not sign any “that undermine the structure of the law.” (Wheaton, 11/5)
The Huffington Post: Obama Pledges To Protect Health Care Law From Republican Assaults
Obama specifically declared he would not consider doing away with the law's individual mandate, which requires most Americans to obtain health care coverage or face tax penalties. Polls show this to be the most unpopular part of the Affordable Care Act, and it was the subject of a constitutional challenge that went all the way to the Supreme Court, which upheld the policy in 2012. (Young, 11/5)
Los Angeles Times: Obama Acknowledges Defeat But Recommits To Acting Without Congress
Obama also mentioned certain amendments to his signature healthcare law that he’d be willing to accept, possible peace offerings in the hours after Republicans swept key congressional races and set themselves up to take over both chambers of Congress early next year. He said he wouldn't consider major changes like a removal of the provision requiring every person to have health insurance. But he said he would be "open and receptive" to ideas for making "responsible changes." (Parsons, 11/5)
Politico Pro: McConnell Faces Pressure On ACA Repeal
Mitch McConnell already has an Obamacare problem. The presumptive incoming Senate majority leader is under rapidly increasing pressure from conservatives to pursue an aggressive path to repealing the landmark health care law, using measures that require only a simply majority. (Haberkorn, 11/5)
The New York Times: Newly Empowered, Mitch McConnell Promises An End To ‘Gridlock’
Fresh from his own re-election victory and his party’s powerful showing nationwide, Senator Mitch McConnell on Wednesday pledged to break the stalemate in Washington as newly empowered congressional Republicans moved quickly to demonstrate that they can get things done. ... They say they will focus on balancing the budget, restoring an orderly process for spending bills, revising if not repealing the health care law and enacting a major overhaul of the tax code — ambitious goals, given years of stalemate and discord. Before taking up the issue of immigration, Republicans are likely to see what unilateral action President Obama undertakes, and how the country reacts to it. (Hulse, 11/5)
